Oops – would-be thief messes with the wrong retiree

WWII vet stabbed in home invasion fights off attacker, who flees, gets truck stuck in the mud and then is sniffed out by sheriff’s crime dog named Joky.

Lake Sun staff

A man who allegedly stabbed and wrestled with a World War II veteran fled on foot only to be tracked down by a K-9 unit a short distance away.
Morgan County Detective Todd Wright said 83-year-old Stanley Egerer was in his home sleeping early Monday morning when 20-year-old Joshua Burris allegedly broke in.
Egerer awoke to find Burris in his bedroom, holding a knife and demanding money.
Burris then stabbed Egerer in the upper left chest after he said he didn’t have any.
Egerer fought back.
During the skirmish, the WWII vet suffered several more cuts to his hands and arms from the knife, Wright said.
Burris then fled the residence on foot, taking with him several stolen prescription medications, according to the police report.
Egerer called 911 about 3 a.m. to report the burglary.
Investigators from the sheriff’s office, along with detective Tony Wheatley and his K-9 dog, Joky, joined the search for the suspect.
Wright said Burris was tracked down about a half-mile away in a wooded area off Route TT. He was attempting to get his 1995 gold-colored Ford Ranger unstuck from the mud.
A search warrant executed on Burris and his residence found several pieces of evidence linking him to the crime.
Burris is charged with Class B felony assault in the first degree, felony armed criminal action, Class B felony burglary in the first degree, Class C felony stealing and Class C felony possession of a controlled substance.
He is being held on a $15,000 cash-only bond.
Wright said the investigation has not found a direct relationship between Burris and Egerer.
He also said Egerer remains in the hospital in good condition.
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